Bottle-filler.



J. WILLMANN. BOTTLE FILLER. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1909.

96 9 ,01' 7" Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

J. WILLMANN.

BOTTLE FILLER. APPLICATION I'ILED (IAN. 13, 1909.

969,017. Patented Au 30, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W r. I

J. WILLMANN.

BOTTLE FILLER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1909v Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH WILLMA N'N, OF DERBY, CONNECTICUT.

BOTTLE-FILLER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 13, 1909.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910. Serial No. 472,088.

- character whereby the charges of liquid supwherebya crate of bott es may plied to the bottles may be accurately and automatically determined, the apparatus being capable of adjustment whereby the amounts of liquid supplied to the bottles may be varied as desired, the apparatus being especially advantageous when used in infant feeding depots wherein it is necessary to give to each infant an individual amount of milk and the milk being of a certain composition, the amount varying usually between one and eight ounces and ordinarily four formulas are used for-milk of different grades.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this class wherein the measuring devices for determining the amount of liquid to be supplied to each bottle are so constructed that each measurin device receives the exact amount of liqui which is to be dischargedjnto the bottle, and before the measured liquid is discharged, the further supply of liquid to the measuring devices is interrupted and the surplus liquid is withdrawn during the discharging operation; hence, only the liquid that has been measured is discharged into the bottle. Furtherobjects of the invention are to @provide a'machine of this character having a supply tank for the liquid, such tank havmg a valve which is automatically operable from the same mechanism which causes the liquid to enter the measuring devices whereby the requisite quantity of liquid shall be supplied 'to the measuring devices although an excessive flow of the liquid is prevented, also to provide a bottle filler having a simple and effective means for varying the amounts of liquid measured and supplied to the bottles and furthermore to provide such a machine which has a pluralit of fillin devices Tsimultaneously, although whenever it is de sirable, any desired number of the filling devices may be set in an inoperative condition in order that a number of bottles less than the full capacity of the machinecan be filled conveniently.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the

novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing :-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bottle filler constructed in accordance with my present invention, portions of the liquid supply tank and the bottle crate being shown in section;

Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the maclnne as shown in Fig.1; Fig. 3 represents an enlarged sectional view of the measuring and filling devices, and also the liquid controlling device whereby the level of the liquid may be raised and lowered in a manner to be hereinafter described; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the machine as shown in .Fig. 1, a pivoted tank however li aid with reference to the measuring and fil ing devices; and Fig. 5 represents a front elevation of the upper portion of the ma chine as shown in Fig. 2, the same being equipped with a pivoted .tank as shown in Fig. 4.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown a bottle filler which is especially adapted for use in the filling of milk bottles. It will be understood, however, that the machine either in whole or in part may be readily adapted for use in other connections, the invention not being limited to the specific forms shown as these are illustrated and described merely as two embodiments of the invention.

In that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the machine comprises a frame 1 which may be of any appropriate construction and is provided with a vertically movable platform 2 to support a crate 3 wherein are located the bottles 4 to be filled, the 'vertically movable platform being elevated by means of a treadle 5 or any other suitable. means. Above the platform which supports the bottles is mounted a'fill- I being shown for controlling the level of the I cups may vary in number, the number varying according to the maximum capacity of the machine. The lower end of each cup is contracted or of tapered or conical form as at 8 terminating in a reduced orifice 9 which is adapted to enter the corresponding bottle opening when the platform is elevated to carry the bottles into filling position. A

valve plug 10 is arranged in the lower portion of each measuring and filling cup, the

lower portion of each valve. plug being shaped to lit the tapered or conical portion capable of varying the capacity thereof. In

the present instance a displacer 13 is provided for each filling cup, it being in the form of a body which loosely surrounds the valve rod 11 and is capable of adjustment vertically in its respective cup, these displacers being so mounted as to permit the liquid to flow past them and into the lower portions ofthe cups, the displacers serving to increase or decrease the capacity of the respective cups as they are elevated or lowered. These displacers are provided with sleeves 14 which in turn are suspended from a supporting plate 15, and the latter in turn is provided at itsopposite sides with slides 16 which are guided for vertical adjustment in the opposite sides of the machine frame and are provided with apertures 17 which are spaced at appropriate intervals vertically of the slides, and pins 18 are adapted to enter the appropriate apertures and to rest upon the corresponding sides of the frame so as to support the plate in difie'rent elevated positions. These apertures 17 are spaced according to the different amounts .of the liquid which it may be desirable to supply tothe bottles, and by shifting the plate 15 to the proper elevation and supporting it in such position by the pins which enter the apertures 17 the displacers 13 will rest at such positions in the cups as correspond to the amounts of liquid that are to be supplied to the bottles.

.' A simple and efficient device is provided .whereby all of the valve plugs may be simultaneously lifted so as to fill a .full set of bottles or a portion of the valve plugs may be so lifted, the remainder being left closed whereby a smaller number of bottles maybe filled. This device in its present form consists of a frame 19 which is guided to move vertically on the top of the frame and its opposite sides are pivoted to receive removable pins20. Themeasuring and filling tubes arearranged preferably in' rows,-

and a pin 20 passes through eyes in the valve rods of each row of filling devices thereby connecdng the valve pings to the frame 19. This frame has depending/portions 21provided with rollers or projections 22, these rollers or projections being arranged to cooperate with a pair of similar cams or wedges 23, the latter being formed on the upper sides of a pair of arms as, the latter being slidalole horizontally in suitable bearings at opposite sides of the frame and are connected by a transverse handle 25 whereby both arms with the wedges may lee-simultaneously reciprocated. As these arms 24:

are moved toward the right as in Fig. 3, the

frame 19 will be elevated thereby causing a'lifting-movement of each valve plug and a consequent discharge of the measured quantity of liquid in the corresponding cups. A. reverse movement or" the arms 24: will permit a descending movement of. the frame 19 and a-consequent closing of the valve plugs.

According to the present invention, the measuring and filling cups are supplied with the liquid only during the charging of the cups, and while the liquid is being discharged from these cups into the bottles, the supply of liquid is cut oli' from the cups.

In that form of the invention shown in Figs. '1 to 3, inclusive, a float 26 is provided,

this float being arranged 'to operate in a rearward extension of tne tank 6. This tank is provided with a depression 27 which is below the bottom 28 of the tank from which the measuring and fillingcups depend and the depression is of such a capacity as to receive enough liquid touncover the bottom 28 when the float 26 is elevated. On thehandle portion which is exposed toward the front 0 of the o orator, and the rear portion of this arm is ed to a shaft 30 which is journaled in the rear portion of the frame. .This shaft also has an arm 31-fixed thereto and the arm is connected to the fioat by a link 32. A. depression'of the forward end of the lever 29 will cause a corresponding. downward movement of the arm 31, and as the latter moves downwardly, it willo erate through the link 32 to depress the cat 26. Areverse movement of the lever 29 will cause elevation of the ,float26 whereby the depression 27' in the tank 6 may receivetheliquid whichformerly covered the upper ends of the cups. The buoyancy of the float 26 is preferably sufiicient to normally retain it and the lever 29' in elevated position as shown in Figs- 1 and 3. The tank 6 is the machine or in convenient reach.

supplied from time to time with additional liquid to take the place of that which is removed throughthe cups by a supply tank- 33 which is preferably mounted at the upper portion of the apparatus and is provided with a discharge pipe 34 which enters the tank 6 preferably at a point adjacent to the depression 27 therein, an incliqe 35 being prsferably provided immediately beneath the carried by a slide 38 attached to the lower end of a rod 39, the latter being connected through the medium of the arms 40 and the shaft 41 to a vertical valve stem 42 which has a valve plug 43 on its lower end, this valve plug having a seat 44 surrounding the opening in the bottom of the supply tank 33 which communicates with the discharge pipe 34. When there is sufficient liquid in the tank 6 to fill all of the cups, the valve plug 43 will remain closed, as the lever 29 will descend sufficiently to elevate the level of the liquid in the tank 6 before the pin 37 reaches the end of the segmental slot 36 in the lever. Whenever necessary, however,

- the lever 29 may be depressed still further,

the pin 37 being thereby engaged with the end of the slot 36 and operating through the rod 39 and arms 40 willcause the valve plug 43 to be lifted and thereby op'ened whereby an additional quantity of liquid will flow from the tank 33 into the tank 6.

Instead of employing the float for controlling tlie level of the liquid in the tank 6, the device shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be used for the same purpose, if desired. In

this form of the invention, a tank 6 is emplo-yed which isconnected to the supply pipe 34, and a pipe 45 leads from the bottom of the tank 6' and communicates through a trunnion connection 46 with a pivoted tank 47, the latter being arranged at one side of.

the machine and is capable of a pivotal movement In a vertical plane, a handle 48 being provided on this tank toward the front of the machine whereby the tank may be manipulated with facility by the operator. This pivotal tank 47 has a capacity sufficient to receive all of the liquid which is contained in the tank 6 during the filling of the cups so that when this tank is lowered, as shown in Fig. 4, the tank 6 will be emptied. A rest 49 is provided for supporting the piv- ,oted tank in its normal depressed position.

During the filling of the-cups, however, the

- tank 4t is elevated by means of the handle 4 8 whereby the liquid contained in this pivoted tank will flow through the trunnion connection 46 and the ipe 45 into the tank .6 so that the upper ends of the cups will be covered with the liquid and uniform filling of the cups is therebyinsured. The replenishing of the liquid for the tank 6 is also controlled by the pivoted tank 47, this tank inthe present instance having a rearwardly extending arm 50 thereon which is provided with a segmental slot 51, the latter cotiperating with a pin 52 which is carried on the lower end of the rod 39 as in the previous construction. When the tank 47 is in its lowered position as shown in Fig. 4, the valve in the supply tank will be with my present invention may be operated with facility. The bottles to be filled may be conveniently placed in the crate 3, the

latter being mounted on the vertically mov-.

able platform 2. The milk of the desired composition is supplied to the tank 33 and, I

on the initial starting of the machine, the

lever 29 or the tank 47 as the case may be,

is depressed whereby the valve plug 43 will be opened and a sufiicient quantity of the milk or liquid will flow from the tank 33 into the tank 6 or 6.

In operating a machine constructed in accordance with that form shown in Figs. 1 to 33, inclusive, the treadle 5 may be first depressed so as to carry the bottles into filling position beneath the respective cups. The lever 29 may next be de ressed whereby the float 26 will enter the depression 27 of the tank 6 and 'will thereby elevate the level of the liquid in the tank 6 until such liquid covers the upper ends of the cups. Assuming that the displacers 13 have been adjusted to the desired elevation according to the amount of liquid to be measured and filled into the bottles, theliquid while its level is elevated will flow into and fill the spaces in the several cups, and after the cups have been filled, the lever 29 is returned to its normal elevated position, the float 26 rising and thereby causing the level of the liquid to fall sufficiently to uncover the tops of the cups. The handle 25 may then be pushed inwardly or toward the right, the

cam portions 23 cooperating with the rollers received their respective charges, the handle a 25 is returned to its normal positionand the crate of filled bottles may be lowered and removed. After afresh supply of' bottles.

isof

have been mounted upon the platform 2, the same cycle of operations may be re.- peated. Whenever it is desirable to fill a number or bottles less than the number of cups with which the machine is equipped,

one or more of thepins 20 is removed, the

corresponding valve plugs remaining in closed position while the machine isbeing operated so that no liquid will discharge from such cups until the pins 20 are replaced. The quantities of milk or other iquid to be filed into the bottles may be regulated or adjusted as reviously described by varying the elevation of the plate 15 which supports the displacers 13. i

In that form of the machine shown in Fig. 4, the handle 48 or the pivoted tank 4.-7.is operated in the same manner as the lever 29, the handle 48 being lifted so as to transfer the liquid from-the tank 47 intothe tank 6* during the filling of the cups, and immediately after the filling, the tank 47 is lowered whereupon the liquid will flow from the tank 6* tothe tank 47 and the contents of the cups may then be discharged in the same-manner as described in connection with that form of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. 1

Bottle fillers constructed in accordance with the present invention are relatively simple in construction and are composed of a few parts all of which may be readily removed-or otherwisereached for the purposes of sterilization or cleansing, this oeing of essential importance in the bottling of milk. By my invention, either a'full set of bottles may be filled simultaneously, or a reduced number may be filled in which case theremainder of the fillingcu s will be closed during the operation oft e machine. Obviously, the quantities of milk or other liquid to be supplied to the bottles may be quickly adjusted, it being only necessary to elevate or depress the displacers so as to give to the respective cups a capacity equal to the amount of liquid which the bottles are to receive. By raising the level of theliquid in the filling tank during the charging or filling of the on s and lowering such level so that the sup y of liquid .to the cups is interrupted uring the discharging of the liquid from the cups into the bottles, accuracy in the measuring of the liquid is vinsured, and this feature is materially advantageous when the apparatus is used in the feeding ofmilk to infants. I have shown two difier'ent means for controlling the supply of the liquid to the cups, one involving a movable tank which'is auxiliary to: the fillin tank and serves byits movements to trans er the liquid back and forth, and the other means involving a depression which also is, in efi'ect, a tank auxiliary to the filling tank, and a float other body is operable to transfer the liquid from one tank to the other. Either of'these forms may be pre ferred and, moreover, other means than those shown may be used to secure the ole sired result.

'. I claimas my invention:

l A bottle filler comprising a stationary filling tank having a cup communicating therewith and adapted to receive and discharge liquid into bottles, displacin means for maintainin liquid in said tank at an increased elevation during the filling oi said on and for lowering the level of such liquid be ore the discharge of liquid from the cup, a supply tank for replenishing liquid in the filling tank and having a controlling valve,

and a common operating connection between said displacing means and valve.

2. A- bottle filler comprising a stationary fillin tank, a valved cup for receiving liqui jfrom the fillin tank and discharging it into bottles, disp acing means movable with respect to the fillin tank for elevating the liquid in said tank uring the filling of the cup and lowering the elevation of the liquid in such tank before the discharge of liquid from the cup, a su ply tank ferreplenishing liquid in thefil trollin valve for said supply tank, and an o erative connection between said valve and displacing means which permits a limited independent operation of the displacing means and serves as common operating means for both.

3. A bottle filler comprisin devices for receiving liquid and discharging it into suit-able receptacles, displacing means movable relatively to sai tank for maintainin liquid therein at an increased elevation uring .the charging of a filling-tank,

ling tank, a con-' rom said tank said filling devices and for lowering the elein vation of such liquid before the discharge of liquid from such devices, a liquid supply tank adapted to replenish the liquid in the filling tank, a valve controlling the flow of liquid from PP y tank, and an ope tiv e connection between the displacing means and said valve for opening the letter when the displacing means met one limitor' its movement.

4. A bottle filler comprising a filling tank, a cup depending therefrom for receiving liquid from such tank and discharging it into bottles, means movable relatively to said tank and communicating therewith for maintaining the liquid in'such tank at an.

chargeliquid into the filling tank, a conl tank and to discharge it into bottles, a part communicating with and normally located below the level of said tank, and a device movable relatively to said tank and arranged to act upon the-liquid to maintain the liquid at an increased elevation in said tank during the filling of said device and for withdrawing said liquid into said part communicating therewith during the discharging of said device.

6. A bottle filler comprising a filling tank, a set of cups depending from the bottom thereof and provided with valves whereby they may receive liquid from said tank and discharge it into bottles, a tank auxiliary to the filling tank and having means capable of transferring liquid therefrom into the filling tank and maintaining the liquid in said tank at an increased elevation during the filling of said cups and for withdrawing 9 the liquid from the filling tank before the emptying of said cups, said auxiliary tank being normally below the level of the fillin tank.

. A bottle filler comprising a filling tank,

bottle filling cups connected to receive liquid therefrom and to discharge such liquid into bottles, means for maintaining liquid in the filling tank during the charging of said cups and for withdrawing such liquid during the 40 emptyiltilg thereof, a suppliyiltank for replenishmg liquid to the ing tank, and a valve controlled by said'means for regulating the flow of liquid from the supply tank.

8. A bottle filler comprising a filling tank,

aiset of bottle filling cups connected to receive liquid from said tank and to dischar e it into bottles, a device operable to maintain liquid in the filling tank during the charging of said cups and for withdrawing such liquid from the tank during the emptying thereof, a supply tank communicating with the filling tank, a valve for controlling the flow of liquid from the supply tank, and means operable by said devlce for regulat- 5 ing the supply of liquid in the filling tank. 9. A bottle filler comprising a filling tank,

a set of cups connected to receive liquid from said tank and to discharge it into bottles, a

part operable to maintain liquid in said tank during the filling of said cups and for withdrawing such-liquid during the discharging thereof, a liquid supply tank communicating with the filling tank, a valve for the supply tank, and an operative connection between said valve and device whereby the latter is 11. A bottle filler comprising a filling tank, a set of bottle filling cups connected to receive liquid from such tank and to discharge it into bottles, a liquid controlling device for maintaining liquid in thefilling tank during the charging of said cups and for withdrawing such liquid during the emptying thereof, a supply tank communieating with the filling tank and having a valve, and an operative connection between the liquid controlling device and said valve whereby the liquid controlling device may be normally operated independently of said valve and an abnormal movement of said device will open said valve.

12. A filling device of the class described comprising a filling tank, a measuring cup depending from the bottom thereof, a valve located in the bottomof said cup and provided. with an upwardly extendin reci rocatory stem, and .a displacer epen ing loosely within the cup and fitting loosely around said stem whereby the capacity of the cup maybe regulated, and the valve may be operated While the displacer is stationary.

13. A filling apparatus comprising a filling tank,.a measuring cup depending therefrom, a valve arranged in the bottom of said cup and provided with an upwardly extending reciprocatory stem, a displacer depending loosely in said cup and looselysurrounding the valve stem, and an adjustable support carrying said displacer, the displacer being capable of adjustment independently of the valve to vary the capacity of the cup, and the valve beingcapable of operation while said displacer remainsgstationary.

14. A filling apparatus of the class described comprising a cup, a valve controlling the same and provided with a valve stem, a filling tank communicating with the cup, a displacer surrounding but independent of the valve stemand adjustable axially thereof for varying the capacity of the cup, and means for adjustably supporting the displacer independently of said valve stem.

15. A filling apparatus of. the" class described comprising' a filling tank, a set of bottle filling cups depending therefrom, valves controlling the discharge ends of; said cups, a set of 'displaoers for the respective cups whereby the capacities there- I of may all of the displacers of the set and adjust- I be varied, and a device connected to able to simultaneously vary the capacities of thecnps independently of said valves.

16. A filling apparatus of the class described comprising a filling tank, a set of bottle filling cups communicating therewith and arranged in groups, valves arranged in the discharge ends of the cups and provided with valve rods, a reciprocatory frame having' cams thereon for opening and closing said valves, an actuating frame cooperative with said cams and detachable'connections between said valve actuatingframe and the valve rods whereby certain groups of the valves may be operated independently of the others.

17. A filling" apparatus of the class described comprising a filling tank, a set of bottle filling cups connected to receive liquid therefrom. and arranged in a plurality of IOWSgVfilVES for the respective cups having Y'alve rods, an actuating frame movable.

axially of the valves, and pins for detach.- ably connecting the valve rods for the different rows of cups to said frame whereby either all .or a portion of the valves may be operated thereby.

18. A filling device of the class described comprising a set of bottle filling cups, means for supplying liquid thereto, valves for the respective cups, an actuating frame operatively connected to the valves and movable parallel to the axes thereof, and a part havmg cams movable transversely of the direction of movement of said flame whereby the latter may be. operated to open and close the valves. A

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH WILLMANN.

Witnesses:

WM, MGKENNA, E. J. HORTON. 

